Assembling Your Team to Heal from a Brain Injury: A Holistic Approach to Recovery
- jordanswellness
- May 1
- 6 min read
Healing from a brain injury is a complex process, and having the right support system in place can make all the difference. In this post, I share my journey of assembling a holistic team of professionals—physical therapists, speech therapists, vision specialists, and more—that has been crucial in my recovery. I also discuss how supplements have contributed to my healing process and why a comprehensive approach is essential for long-term recovery.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is based on my personal experience and research regarding brain injury and recovery. It is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment.
Recovering from a brain injury can often feel like navigating an overwhelming and uncertain journey. The path to healing isn’t always straightforward, and the process can sometimes seem slow. But one of the most important steps in regaining your health and well-being after a brain injury is assembling the right team of professionals who can support you through your recovery.
For me, the combination of different therapies, supplements, and a team of experts has been vital in my journey. Here’s how my team works together, and why having a comprehensive support system is essential for healing from a brain injury.
Physical Therapy (PT): Rebuilding the Body, One Step at a Time
After my brain injury, I noticed significant physical changes, from balance issues to coordination problems. Physical therapy (PT) has been a cornerstone of my recovery. My physical therapist (PT) works with me to improve my posture, strengthen my muscles, and regain any lost motor skills. The goal is to reconnect my mind and body, helping to ease physical limitations that stem from my injury.
PT isn’t just about addressing aches and pains—it's about retraining the brain and body to work together effectively. For instance, exercises focused on balance and proprioception help my brain relearn how to control movement. Simple activities, like learning to walk or move without falling, become opportunities for the brain to rebuild neural connections.
Speech Therapy: Reconnecting My Thoughts with Words
Brain injuries can disrupt your ability to process language and communicate effectively, and this has been a challenging aspect of my recovery. My speech therapist (SLP) has been instrumental in helping me rebuild those neural pathways connected to communication. From word-finding difficulties to overall cognitive clarity, speech therapy targets the mental processes responsible for speaking, listening, and understanding.
We work on various exercises that improve memory, vocabulary recall, and articulation. Some of the tasks can be simple, like practicing repeating words or engaging in structured conversations, while others are more complex, aiming to sharpen my cognitive function. Having an SLP is essential to help reconnect the brain’s language centers that were impacted by the injury.
Vision Therapy: Healing the Eyes and Brain Connection
One aspect of my recovery that I didn’t expect was the strain on my vision. Brain injuries can lead to visual disturbances, such as blurry vision, double vision, or the sensation of words jumping on the page. I started vision therapy to address these issues, which helped me reconnect my eyes with my brain’s visual processing centers.
Vision therapy involves a series of exercises and techniques designed to improve eye-tracking, focus, and overall coordination. It can also help retrain the brain to process visual input more accurately, alleviating symptoms like eye strain, dizziness, and headaches. For me, vision therapy has been critical in reducing the frustration of not being able to read or see clearly and has made a noticeable difference in my daily life.
Light Therapy: Calming the Brain with Specific Light Frequencies
Light therapy has been a game-changer in calming my brain and helping me manage my symptoms. After my brain injury, I experienced significant issues with light sensitivity, headaches, and cognitive overload, so light therapy was recommended as part of my treatment plan. It involves exposing the brain to specific wavelengths of light, which can help regulate the brain's activity and reduce stress.
The therapy itself is non-invasive, with sessions typically involving a special light device that is placed close to my eyes. It’s designed to promote relaxation, increase energy, and improve focus, all while minimizing the over-stimulation that can be triggered by fluorescent lights or screens. Over time, light therapy has helped me manage brain fog and reduce my sensitivity to light, making it easier to focus on my daily tasks.
Integrative Therapy: Healing the Whole Body
An integrative therapist takes a holistic approach to healing, addressing not just the physical symptoms but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of recovery. I see my integrative therapist to help process the emotional challenges that come with brain injury recovery. There’s so much that goes into healing after trauma, and it’s easy to overlook the emotional toll it can take.
We talk through frustrations, fears, and self-doubt, and I’m guided on how to work through these emotional barriers. Integrative therapy involves mindfulness practices, deep relaxation techniques, and somatic therapies. It's a reminder that true healing doesn’t just happen in the body but also in the mind and spirit.
Why a Team Is Important in Brain Injury Recovery
Assembling a team of professionals to support my recovery has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. Brain injury is complex, and no single therapy or intervention can address all the different ways it impacts the body and mind. Each specialist brings a unique skill set, and together, they provide a more complete picture of my healing.
The reality is that a brain injury can affect many different parts of the body—our movement, cognition, speech, emotions, vision, and even the way we process light and sound. This is why having a team of experts is so important. They work together, often sharing insights and progress, to ensure I am addressing all aspects of healing.
Supplements: Supporting the Brain from the Inside
In addition to my therapies, I also use specific supplements to support my brain health and healing. These supplements help nourish the brain, reduce inflammation, and support cognitive function. Some of the supplements I take include:
Citicoline: This supplement is known for its role in promoting brain repair and improving cognitive function. It helps support the formation of new neural connections and may aid in memory and focus.
Ashwagandha: Known for its adaptogenic properties, ashwagandha helps reduce stress and anxiety, which can be exacerbated by brain injury. It helps regulate the body’s stress response and supports mental well-being.
Body Bio PC: This supplement provides phosphatidylcholine, which is important for brain cell membrane integrity and function. It supports cognitive function and cellular repair in the brain.
Neuro PS: This supplement contains phosphatidylserine, a compound that’s been shown to help improve memory and cognitive function. It plays a crucial role in cellular communication in the brain.
Triple Mag: A combination of three types of magnesium, which help support the nervous system, reduce muscle tension, and improve sleep. Magnesium is vital for calming the brain and reducing symptoms of brain injury.
These supplements provide additional support to my healing process, working in conjunction with my therapies to help my brain recover from the trauma.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Healing
When it comes to brain injury recovery, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The combination of therapies, professionals, and supplements has made a significant difference in my recovery. Each member of my healing team plays an integral role, helping me regain function and address the many challenges I face on a daily basis.
Healing from a brain injury is not a solo journey. With the right team of experts by your side, you can approach recovery from every angle—physically, cognitively, emotionally, and nutritionally. A holistic approach ensures that all aspects of healing are addressed, giving you the best chance at a full recovery.
Stay strong, and keep advocating for your health. You're not alone in this journey. 💪🌱
All my light. All my love.
Namaste.
Jordan
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Disclaimer: This post is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements or therapies.
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